Looking to get back to winning ways, Golden Arrows will host Sekhukhune United in their latest match in the DStv Premiership, with the tie scheduled to take place at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday night.
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Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
Abafana Bes'thende recent form sheet does not make for a good reading as they have won just one game out of their last five fixtures in the DStv Premiership.
Arrows' last victory in the league was recorded in December 2023, where the Durban-based outfit claimed a 3-0 win against Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium.
Abafana Bes’thende also suffered a 2-1 defeat against TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup on 23 February.
While Arrows sit in ninth place on the log, Sekhukhune United currently occupy 11th position in the DStv Premiership.
Babina Noko jotted down three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five league matches, with the latest result being a 3-1 victory over Richards Bay on 17 February at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Sekhukhune also participated in continental competition this past weekend, where they recorded a 0-0 draw with Moroccan outfit RSB Berkane in the CAF Confederations Cup.
🚨UPCOMING GAME🚨
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) February 26, 2024
🏆#dstvprem
🆚 @SekhukhuneFc
🗓️ Wed 28 Feb 2024
🏟️ Mpumalanga Stadium
⏰ 19:30
📺 streamed on dstv channel 246
🎟️ R40 tickets, sold @TicketProSA outlets
#greenandgold #10betgoldenarrows #sthendeway pic.twitter.com/o24vIy8eZN
WHAT WAS SAID
“This is the only way to gain experience because where can you buy experience in football?,” Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khanyeza said regarding his side’s recent form.
“The situations like these are the ones that give you experience as a player and as a coach. If you can look at other top coaches even abroad, they had many experiences early in their careers.
“They didn’t just become top coaches [overnight]. Everyone talks about Pep Guardiola. Just go back now and look at how he started at Barcelona, I think he lost about six games in a row.
“Others know him only now as he’s winning. What I’m trying to say is, we embrace the situation like this, from me to the players. This experience will build me as a young coach and other players who are young because whenever we get successful and we will look back, we’ll be happy.”
“Not wanting to single out any player but you can see that we have a [Afcon] gold medallist there in the poles. I think he kept us in the game whenever he was needed,”Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema said in praise of goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré following his side’s recent CAF commitments.
“There was one-on-one there that he came [out] so it’s good to have him. He is still fresh, one would think that because he hasn’t played for long and he did not get game-time that side, he’d come rusty.
“But what we have seen today we are happy with it.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Golden Arrows: Gladwin Shitolo – At the age of 34, Shitolo remains an important component to Khenyeza’s defensive set-up this season. With Abafana Bes’thende battling to mend their leaky defence, Shitolo will be tasked to marshal his troops in sticky situations throughout the 90 minutes.
Sekhukhune United: Badra Ali Sangare – After getting praised by Seema in their most recent game, Sangare will no doubt look to carry his impressive run of form into their upcoming DStv Premiership encounters.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last five league results:
2021/22 Sekhukhune 1-1 Arrows
2021/22 Arrows 0-0 Sekhukhune
2022/23 Sekhukhune 1-0 Arrows
2022/23 Arrows 0-0 Sekhukhune
2023/24 Sekhukhune 0-1 Arrows